Last week, the second-grade Mountaineers donned their historian hats and explored the rich history of the Berlin Central School District’s four towns: Stephentown, Berlin, Petersburgh, and Grafton.
Berlin Elementary School second-grade teachers Mrs. Kneer, Mrs. Ruebel, Mrs. Healy, and Mrs. Tregger immersed the 2nd-graders in the Social Studies Unit of Time, Continuity, and Change, a study identifying continuities and changes over time to help understand historical developments. Continuities and changes over time in communities can be described using historical thinking, vocabulary, and tools such as timelines. Examining and interpreting evidence, such as maps, population charts, photographs, newspapers, biographies, artifacts, and other historical materials, is the key to connecting students with the past and understanding their history through evidence.
From the research, the Mountaineers developed a timeline for their community through a map, time capsule, and presentation, which included important events, natural resources, and the way the resources created an economy for the community.
Some of the study included learning about the important part wood played as a natural resource, which was burned in charcoal kilns to make charcoal, and then sold to make black ink, medicine, toothpaste, and much more, bringing money into the community.
The second-grade historians learned about the train stations that ran through our district, helping to transport people and goods, Frey’s ice cream, the blacksmith, the Tin Shop, Kendall’s Pond, the Spool Factory, the Shirt Factory, the importance of Gladiolus Bulbs to the economy, and two disasters that occurred in the towns’ history.
All the second graders created time capsules with items representing the history they studied and a large map to demonstrate what they learned in a lesson.
The culmination of the project was a presentation given to Berlin Elementary Principal Mrs. Cataldo and BCSD Superintendent Mr. Rizzo. Each second-grade presented different parts of their research, impressing Mrs. Cataldo and Mr. Rizzo, who both left the lessons more informed and engaged in the history of the district, thanks to the hard work and excellent presentation by the Mountaineers.
“As a former social studies teacher, I was inspired by the enthusiasm and pride that the second graders demonstrated in presenting to their principal and superintendent about the rich history of the Berlin community,” said Mr. Rizzo.
Mr. Rizzo continued, “The students’ presentation skills and preparation are a testament to their teachers and a true reflection of the authentic and engaging learning happening in the elementary classrooms. The History of Berlin project aligns with the new Civic Seal and portrait of graduate measures being rolled out in the high school this year. It was impressive to see instruction already aligning at the earliest grade levels.”
The second graders did an excellent job with the hands-on learning activity and earned the distinction of young Berlin School District Historians.